Groups call for youth-centered HIV response in PH

Various youth groups and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Philippines called for a youth-centered response and preventive care to Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) following a recent spike in cases among the youth.

In an event at Taguig on Thursday, AHF and youth representatives expressed their support in declaring HIV a public health emergency and stressed that the youth must be involved in the conversation.

“The Filipino youth is in an increasingly vulnerable position. Every day, more young people are added to the HIV statistics. This is not just a health issue - it is a national emergency that demands a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response,” said AHF Philippines Country Program Manager Dr. Ryan Guinaran.

"We must act now by scaling up access to accurate education, effective prevention tools, and inclusive services to protect the next generation," he added.

The group also called for an executive order to strengthen the country’s HIV response and fight prejudice for HIV-positive patients.

“With poor sex education and stigma on HIV continuing to persist, we must strengthen Comprehensive Sexuality Education to provide our fellow youth with accurate information,” said Girls Act Philippines president Julian Tumbali.

“Young people must be part of the solution… We play a crucial role in the country’s HIV crisis response, with the ability to lead and inform. With the potential declaration of HIV as a public health emergency, we are closer to effectively addressing this rising issue,” added Sydney Nadarisay of Kabataang FPOP.

Earlier, the Department of Health (DOH) reported that there was a 500% increase in the number of young Filipinos aged 15 to 25 years who were infected with HIV.

Secretary Ted Herbosa noted that there were currently 148,831 cases of HIV in the country, and that the number of people living with HIV could reach 400,000 if the rising trend is not mitigated.

 DOH offered free prevention tools such as condoms and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for Filipinos, which accounted for only 6% or P211 million of the total  P3.6 billion HIV expenditure in 2023. —LDF, GMA Integrated News